Israel Grooms the Next Generation of Young Scientists at WSCI – World Science Conference Israel
The Event saw 400 students from 70 countries including 13 young scientists from India
During the conference the students had the opportunity to interact with 15 Nobel Prize Laureates from Israel and abroad. The students, 18 to 25 years in age, had the chance to attend lectures, to interact, and to be inspired by these Nobel Laureates of various fields as well as other leading scientists from around the world. They also experienced a unique opportunity to meet and get to know 400 bright students from five continents all around the world.
The Indian students delegation included students from Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (Bhopal, Calcutta, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram) and Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. This delegation included exonerating science students and were accompanied by Prof. P S Anil Kumar from IISc Bangalore.
The WSCI was designed as a unique Israeli model that included a special Science and Technology session, emphasizing on the connection between basic science and its applications and exposed the participants to the Israeli innovative and creative spirit. As part of its program, alongside the activities for the young scientists, the WSCI included plenary sessions, round table discussions, Nobel Laureate master class sessions, a science workshop competition, social events and excursions. Most of the activities were held in the Hebrew University's Edmund J. Safra Campus on Givat Ram and offered the participants generous portions of fundamental science in the spheres of physics, chemistry, the life sciences, and mathematics.
The 15 Nobel Prize Laureates from Israel and abroad included Prof. Roger D. Kornberg (Chemistry, 2006, USA), Chairman of the WSCI Academic Committee; Prof. Sidney Altman (Chemistry, 1989, Canada); Prof. Arieh Warshel (Chemistry, 2013, Israel); Prof. Dan Shechtman (Chemistry, 2011, Israel); Prof. Ada Yonath (Chemistry, 2009, Israel); Prof. Claude Cohen-Tannoudji (Physics, 1997, France);Prof. Robert J. Aumann (Economic Sciences, 2005, Israel); Prof. Aaron Ciechanover (Chemistry, 2004, Israel); Prof. Richard J. Roberts (Physiology/Medicine, 1993, U.K.); Prof. Steven Chu (Physics, 1997, U.S.A); Prof. Harold E. Varmus (Physiology or Medicine 1989, U.S.A); Prof. David J. Gross (Physics, 2004, U.S.A); Prof. Zhores I. Alferov (Physics, 2000, Russia); Sir Prof. Harold W. Kroto (Chemistry, 1996, UK); Prof. Elon Lindenstrauss (Fields Medal, Mathematics, 2010, Israel). In addition to these laureates, the participants were also instructed by 30 Israeli scientists, among them Laureates of the Wolf Prize in the Sciences and other prestigious awards.
Nobel laureate Professor Roger Kornberg, Chairman of the WSCI Academic Committee noted that "the WSCI is unprecedented in both the bridging of disciplines and outreach to youth from all over the world as well as in number of Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists participating. WSCI provides a unique platform for inspiration, dialogue and discussion between promising young talents and the attending Nobel Laureates & eminent scientists". This "once in a life time experience" encourages the young participants to take up the challenge of advancing science and technology in the next generation. It will also help them to develop international friendships and cooperation among students from all over the world. It will create young "Science Ambassadors" of tolerance and understanding.”
Mr. Danni Danon, the Israeli Minister of Science, Technology and Space, noted that "the 'World Science Conference' is a testimony of Israel's influence and importance in the world of science. Along its 67 years of independence, Israeli scientists have been demonstrating that they can change the world for the better in each and every field they set their minds on. The Israeli Government is committed to the world of science and will continue to assist in promoting it."
The opening event saw the presence of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and former President of Israel, Shimon Peres.
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